COL Burke Was Commissioned a 2LT of Armor in 1980 from Canisius College, Buffalo, New York

COL Burke was commissioned a 2LT of Armor in 1980 from Canisius College, Buffalo, New York through ROTC. While attending Canisius College, COL Burke was assigned to 206th Military Police Company as an SMP; serving as the Motor Officer and a Platoon Leader.

Following completion of the Armor Officer Basic Course, COL Burke was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, Ft Stewart, Georgia, as a Cavalry Platoon Leader. Upon completion of flight school in 1984 COL Burke was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), to A Company, 377 Field Artillery, Target Acquisition Battery (TAB), as an Aviation Maintenance Officer, Platoon Leader, and Aerial Observer. He was then reassigned to 123rd Command Aviation Battalion as a Platoon Leader and Assistant S3.

In 1987 upon completion of the Aviation Officer Advance Course COL Burke was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division (LI), as the 10th Aviation Brigade S4, Commander 121 Command Aviation Company, Commander, A Company, 3-25th Aviation Battalion, Assistant S3, and then as the Assistant G3 Air, Headquarters, 10th Mountain Division.

In 1990 COL Burke was assigned as Commander, Aviation Company, 1st USASPT Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), Sinai, Egypt.

In 1996 COL Burke returned to the National Guard and was assigned as the S3, 1-142nd Attack Battalion, Rochester and HHD(-) STARC as the Army Air Space Coordinator in Latham. In 2001 COL Burke took command of the 3-142 Assault Helicopter Battalion and was selected to command the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade in April 2004. COL Burke has commanded the Brigade through the mobilization, deployment and re-deployment of the Brigade in 2004 and through the mobilization and deployment of the 3-142 AHB in 2008.

He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic Course, Aviation Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Staff Service School, and Command and General Staff College. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Master Army Aviator Badge and Air Assault Badge.

COL Burke is married with three children, and two grandchildren